Wells launches bid to become UK's City of Culture

Wells has officially launched its bid to become the UK's next City of Culture. If the Somerset City is successful it will adopt the title in 2021 - taking over from the current UK City of Culture Hull.

Hull has seen it's tourism economy increase by 10 per cent since becoming City of Culture. Those organising Wells' bid are hoping it will do the same for Somerset.

There are 11 towns and cities in competition for the title which comes with a £3 million grant from the heritage lottery fund.

With a population of 10,000, Wells is the smallest city in England - but not the smallest on the list. It's up against Wales' smallest City St Davids.

Here's a list of the contenders:

• Perth

• Paisley

• Stoke-on-Trent

• Sunderland

• Coventry

• Hereford

• Warrington

• Portsmouth

• Wells

• Swansea

• St. Davids

To win the title a city has to prove that its heritage still plays an important part in its modern day culture.

Wells is hoping attractions like its famous cathedral and medieval Bishop's Palace will help its bid.

The proposal will be centred on Wells but will also include the local towns of Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, Cheddar, Street, Bruton, Frome and Castle Cary, along with the local rural area.

Wells MP James Heappey says the biggest challenge will be to use culture to bring Somerset's various communities together.

Some of the grant money will go towards improving existing social outreach projects like the community gardens at the Bishop's Palace.

Matt Goatcher came here to help him recover rom a long illness, and he says it turned his life around.